FC Tulsa's Lucas Coutinho Bounces Back After Possible Career-Ending Injury

After a freak injury, FC Tulsa Midfielder Lucas Coutinho was told his career was over. 

Returning to professional soccer after a career-threatening injury is tough but it's even tougher after being away from the pitch for nearly a year. FC Tulsa midfielder Lucas Coutinho had to learn the game all over again after suffering a head injury in 2019. The neurologist first told me I don't think you should play again and it never crossed my mind not once and I think that comes from the person that’s on the other side," said, FC Tulsa Midfielder Lucas Coutinho.

Coutinho was in a coma for five days and had to learn how to walk and balance on two legs again but his goal of getting back on to the pitch fueled him.

"Since I woke up from that coma I never thought of not playing soccer again I was just like how long is it going to take until I'm back there," said, Coutinho.

That delay has inspired him this season having two starts and becoming a key contributor on the pitch.

"My confidence is getting back I'm showing the coaches and players what I can add to the team and I cannot wait to keep going it’s a long season,” said, Coutinho.

"He always brings a lot of good energy to the locker room and that’s what we need everybody together as a family," said, FC Tulsa Midfielder Rodrigo Da Costa.

11 months and 8 days away from the field and with no teams willing to give him a shot back on the pitch FC Tulsa Head Coach Michael Nsien saw something no one else saw Lucas is a fighter

"It was just important to me to see how he came out of it like attitude-wise more than anything players could be scared or afraid to go back in to compete he played a few games after and that was enough for me to convince me he is ready to come back," said, FC Tulsa Head Coach Michael Nsien.

"It was a lot of ups and downs and my focus was always MLS USL championship and I hope to be more impactful on the field this year and stay here even longer," said Coutinho.

Coutinho and FC Tulsa face Louisville City FC tomorrow night. The two haven’t faced off in six years.  In 10 home matches since the start of the 2020 season, Tulsa has gone 6W-1L-3D and is currently riding a seven-match unbeaten streak that includes an active run of five straight wins. Both the home unbeaten and winning streaks are the longest in franchise history for FC Tulsa.